Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers betting tips and NFL predictions

Free American football tips, best bets and analysis for Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week Seven of the NFL season.

Where to watch

Sky Sports NFL, 9.25pm Sunday

Best bet

Chicago +11
2pts 10-11 general

Match preview

Underdogs didn’t fare well in Week Six of the NFL but there are reasons for thinking Chicago can make the best of a double-figure start at Super Bowl champions Tampa Bay.

Houston and the New York Giants were the teams in receipt of the biggest start last week and both were smashed by 28 points.

But while Tampa Bay boast a record of 5-1 they are just 2-4 against the spread, having failed to cover in their wins against the Cowboys, Patriots and Eagles and in their loss to the Rams.

It’s won three and lost three for the Bears but they are travelling pretty much at the expected rate as their defeats have come against the better teams they have faced – the Rams, Browns and Packers – and they lost by only ten points to Green Bay last week so even a repeat of that would be enough to cover the line in this clash.

The possible absence of defensive end Robert Quinn may be a setback but the Bears’ defence has been a strength this season and they can take heart from the performance last week of Philadelphia, who finished within six of the Bucs.

And Tampa Bay have injury issues of their own with recent recruit Richard Sherman joining the list this week and doubtful to play, while Rob Gronkowski, Lavonte David, Antoine Winfield and Sean Murphy-Bunting are unlikely to return this week.

The injuries on both sides could also point to a bet on a high-scoring game although the teams’ records don’t offer much of an incentive to get involved.

Chicago’s last five games have gone under the posted total thanks to a combination of their offensive struggles and strong defence, but the over is 4-2 in Tampa Bay’s six games this season, with five of them reaching at least 50 points, and two passing the 60-point mark.

The line has dropped from 49 points to 47, raising the temptation to get with the over, but it could be a close thing.

Key stat

The Bears have won four of their last six meetings with the Buccaneers.

The lowdown

Venue Raymond James Stadium
Surface Grass
Weather Scattered thunderstorms, 29C
Vegas handicap Chicago Bears +12
Vegas points line 47.5

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